Advertising Firm Under Scrutiny in Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse Case

The SIT of Mumbai Police is investigating an alleged transfer of Rs 82 lakh by advertising firm Ego Media to people linked to Arshad Khan, a business associate of IPS officer Quaiser Khalid's wife. Khalid, the former GRP commissioner, has been suspended for administrative lapses related to the hoarding's sanctioning.

An SIT of Mumbai Police probing the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse case has uncovered that advertising firm Ego Media allegedly transferred Rs 82 lakh to bank accounts linked to Arshad Khan, who is associated with the wife of IPS officer Quaiser Khalid.

Former GRP Commissioner Quaiser Khalid, suspended for alleged administrative lapses, is not accused in the case, nor is Khan. The SIT plans to question Arshad Khan this week regarding these transactions, a police official stated on Tuesday.

The investigation has identified 22 transactions from Ego Media's accounts, most occurring when Khalid was GRP commissioner. After his transfer, only four transactions took place. The SIT will interrogate Khan about the transactions' purpose. Last week, Mumbai Police submitted a 3,200-page charge-sheet, including Khalid's statement, and a departmental inquiry against Khalid has been initiated.

This probe follows the death of 17 people when an illegal hoarding collapsed amid severe weather on May 13 in Ghatkopar.

(With inputs from agencies.)